Chemical Engineering, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy

The mission of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Houston is to train graduate students and contribute to the development of fundamental knowledge in the field of chemical engineering. An important part of this mission is to engage in the department’s diverse research that is at the forefront of traditional and emerging chemical engineering disciplines including biomolecular engineering, nano-materials, environmental reaction engineering, energy, control theory, polymers, transport, catalysis, separation processes and plasma processing science and applications. The department offers courses in the core disciplines of chemical engineering, as well as a broad range of electives on current and developing topics. Students’ education is broadened by a series of seminars by internationally known speakers from academia and industry. Many of our students also participate in internships during their Ph.D. tenure. For detailed information on individual faculty members research, courses offered, and other Department news and information, see our website: http://www.chee.uh.edu.

The department has grown to nearly 20 full-time faculty and 90 doctoral students. The department continues to be highly ranked by the National Research Council (18th in the U.S. in most recent survey), and is in the top 20 in the number of graduating doctorates, and graduates per full-time faculty member. Research is funded by federal (National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, National Institute of Health), state and local grants, as well as by industry, both in the Houston area and around the globe. Ph.D. students receive a generous stipend, are offered an inexpensive and inclusive health care plan, and pay no tuition or other fees. Students are given a light teaching assistant assignment, and can participate in a voluntary faculty preparation program that allows them to teach one of our undergraduate courses as their TA assignment, in preparation for a career in academia. Graduates of the program are highly sought after by the local chemical engineering industry, and by companies through the U.S.

Most of our students are admitted to the Ph.D. program with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering or a related discipline. Students with M.S. degrees are also frequently admitted, but students are not required to first obtain a M.S. at UH before going on to obtain a Ph.D. degree.

Admission Requirements

Further important information on requirements and procedure for applying are available at the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering admission website: